Cab Overs

a cabover with a setback axle and air ride cab isn't too bad. It ain't good, but it isn't too bad.

The worst I drove was an 84 freightliner COE. Of course, it didn't have a setback axle, no power steering, and the turning radius was crap. That is when I learned my lesson about company hopping without fully investigating what I was getting into. The truck stop book showed a picture of a nice looking conventional freightliner, however, it was the only one they had.

Sadly, this was 1992, so yeah, I was in an 8 year old, wore out, piece of crap truck for almost two weeks before I dropped in on one of their drop lots in Georgia and had my wife drive from Fort Worth to come get me. They even gave me a hit on my DAC report, which was quickly removed after I threatened to sue them. I don't even think the company is in business anymore.

Good experience in a cabover was also a freightliner. I forget what the model name was, but it was one of the first to have no "doghouse". It wasn't bad at all to drive.

 

You might be thinking of the Argosy, that had no doghouse, Frtliner still makes them, just went to their plant in Cleveland,NC (near Statesville) and it was FULL of COE's, at least 200 of them. Even had some of those new Cascadias there, those look pretty sweet.

Saw a great spec COE, CAT motor, all aluminums, dual exhaust, extra windows in the sleeper, and a roof fairing (and a fire engine red frame, white color cab).

 

I think that is what it was called, but not sure. This would have been back around 1994.

 

I liked the way the Old FL Cabovers looked. I wondered why you dont see em anymore.

 

Because too many people who had never been in one refused to drive them,..

They also relaxed the overall length laws a WHOLE lot.

I miss the cabovers. And the flatfloored cabovers are sweet!

 

Thanx for posting that, Dorset.
Always good to hear from Big truck drivers over there ------ across the pond.

What do you consider the top Big truck in the UK?

Are there ANY long nose American Big trucks running over there?

When I used to do trade shows, the Europeans liked to check out our show trucks instead of the trades we brought to show.
Back then, I drove a Lincoln Continental Mark something or other, and they even thought that was cool. They seemed to like the long hoods.

 

I put over a half million miles on a cabover Intl Transtar in the late 70's & early 80's. Back when I was younger I could handle all of that, along with no A/C or air seat. Maybe all of that is why my body feels so beat up now. I do have to admit you couldn't beat them for manuverability. I did HHG's, so getting into some of the neighborhoods was a challange. If I were to do OTR again I want A/C & Air ride everything!!!!!

 

MaN O MaN!
I remember International Transtars.

I drove one, once.
Strangest thing though.
When I turned the "wiper" knob, I got the surprise of my life!
I didn't know THAT's what wipers are supposed to do.

WooooP!

 

Hi aftershock to answer your questions.. What do you consider the top Big truck in the UK.. well in my opinion it has to be the Daf xf superspace cab closely followed by what i drive now the mercedes-benz actros mega space cab...not much in it between those two trucks as its all to do with having as much room as you can in your cab for storage and comfort..the only thing i dont like about my mercedes is it just so ridiculously high up to get into with 5 sheer steps going stright up to get into the thing...but thats becouse it has a flat walkabout floor and to achieve they had to make high to clear the engine..but it nice when your up there in it..not so good for our larger drivers as by the time they are up to the fith step there butts are hanging out for the world to see with there trousers around there knees..lol...All our cabs now for distance drivers or trampers as we call them have high roofs on them..so gone are the days of wakeing up in your cab in the morning half asleep crouched over trying pull your trousers on and falling over only to head butt the dash..i used to find it didnt put me in the best frame of mind to start the day..and with all the cursing going on in the cab i am only glad my mother wasnt around to of heard it as her vision of what kind of lovely person her son was would of very quickly evaporated ..lol..However we will never have the luxury of the size of cabs that you guys have becourse of our over all length restriction...Belive me all drivers over here would love to have a nice normal drive peterbuilt or kw..etc..but you wouldnt be able to deliver to half the places we have to go to...you see some of our towns especiailly in the north of the uk and in parts of europe..which we still have to deliver to without taking out that 200 year old wall from what was originally a mill that was built during the industrial revolution and was designed for horse and cart...and that cant be knocked down becourse its a listed building..However these little roads around these towns and indeed all of our roads can not seem to take the weight of 44 tons as there are ruts in them like tram lines which your truck tends pull you straight into when driving down them..i notice these starting to come after the weight was put up in 2001 i think..and now they are talking about taking our weight up to 60 tons..in an attempt to reduce the amount of trucks on the road..
As to you next question.. Are there ANY long nose American Big trucks running over there?..Yes but very very few some are recovery trucks in rigid format and all the others ie the tractor units are Purley for truck shows and are of course uncoupled...Which yes draw a lot of attention..we all love them....I also own a American truck its a 1942 gmc also known as a cckw tipper dump truck/Cargo which was used during ww2 by the usa army and is still in its origanl colours..it left for d-day from a place called weymouth which is near where i live on the south cost of the uk and is my pride and joy i take it to ww2 events all the time over here when i am home ..i love it..She is a straight six petrol does about 8-10 to the gallon has 10 gears with high and low box and a winch on the front...I have added a couple of pictures of her..anyhow i had better do some work now..so truck safe you all over there and its over and out from the uk for now..Take care all